KCMN’s June meeting focused on how to build a competitive advantage for your business,
by considering your company’s best areas of focus.  Speaker and author Rick Tirrell challenged the audience to be able to answer the question, “What makes your company great?”  Rick used numerous examples, both from his book, The Wisdom of Resilience Builders and from his work with a variety of companies in many industries, to discuss four competitive platforms:

Relationship platform – These companies are fanatical about customer service – Mckinsey & Company, USAA, and Brooks Brothers all spend tremendous resources to know, understand and serve their customers.

Efficient Platform – The bottom line for these companies is to wring every dime from every expense and to pursue efficiency in everything they do.  Walmart, Amazon.com, and Dell in their early days, all make their mark by seeking better, faster, cheaper ways to deliver.

Creative Platform – For these companies, the development of continual innovation and new ideas is paramount.  Pixar, Apple and Cisco all focus on this platform.

Marketing Platform – Branding and image are what drives these companies. While their products may have some differentiation from the competition, trust in the company and a positive image for the brand are key drivers.  Examples include Pepsi, BMW and Proctor and Gamble.

While large companies may have the budget and resources to be single platform companies, Rick in his research has found that smaller companies are more successful in seeking two platforms as differentiators.  Manufacturers often seek to be efficient in all of their processes and procedures, but efficiency alone is not going to give them a lead over global competitors with much greater scale. 

   Pepper Stokes, COO of Robbie Flexibles, explained how Robbie has been successful by focusing on all of the competitive platforms, but placing special emphasis on the Relationship platform and the Creative Platform.  The   platform approach has helped guide the company to place focus on the areas where they feel they can make the most   difference.

   First and foremost, the company makes sure that their mission and customer service values are known and can be   communicated by every single employee.  The company has a set of core values: passion, idealism, commitment,   optimism and achievement; and even names conference rooms and offices after some of these values, such as the passion room.

In the relationship platform, Robbie provides a wide variety of services to their customers, sometimes even at no charge, in order to better understand their customer’s needs.  They send out roll out teams to make sure all team members understand the value of their products, and report problems and issues as an extra set of eyes to their customers. 

The relationship platform is a perfect complement to the creative platform.  In knowing their customer well, the team can then seek creative solutions to their customer’s problems.  The commitment to the creative platform drives decisions to innovate, and to invest in new processes and equipment that gives them additional opportunities to come up with new and better solutions for their customers.

While the efficient platform is not a key driver to the decision process, it is a key driver to remaining competitive in the global marketplace. Robbie excels in their pre-production process, and considered marketing the process to others, but decided against it as it was not part of their overall mission and focus.  The need for short runs means continuous improvement in their changeover times, with much success, and more work to do.

The marketing platform is not ignored, but is a key supporter to the relationship and creative platforms. Robbie outspends many of their competitors on marketing, and attends tradeshows and events to build relationships, not just sell solutions.

Overall, Pepper told the audience, that the secret to success was to “Figure out what you do great and do it on purpose.”   Rick challenged everyone to make sure that regardless of the platform or platforms, that having everyone singing from the same sheet music is a key driver to making your platforms successful. 

Following our sold out successful event last summer, we are making this year’s summer networking event even bigger and better. Join:

Kansas City Manufacturing Network,

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers,

Institute of Industrial Engineers, and

American Society for Quality

at our members-only event at the Dark Horse Distillery in Lenexa, KS from 4-7 PM on August 20, 2013.

Located just west of I-35 off of 87^th Street in Lenexa, the Dark Horse Distillery is a family owned and operated distillery launched in 2010 with a complete unique event space.

Admission includes your choice of beverages, including Dark Horse Rider Vodka, Dark Horse Long Shot White Whiskey, well spirits, beer, wine and soda, complements of our drink sponsor, Spencer Fane Britt & Browne LLP. We will also have sandwiches and appetizers catered by Dean & Delucca.  Learn more about four great organizations who provide resources and support to the area’s manufacturing community, and participate in discussions to help you get to know your fellow manufacturers – all for only $20.

Attendees must pay online or by cash or check at the door.  Due to multiple organizations participating, there will be no invoicing.  Sign up today by clicking here!

Attendance is open to members only of the 4 participating organizations and invited manufacturing company guests, and will be limited to the first 100 to sign up.  If we are able to secure additional sponsors, proceeds from the event will benefit SME and IIE Scholarship funds.  Contact Brian Crawley from SME for more details if you’d like to help sponsor the event.

Your choice of beverages, thanks to our sponsors:

At Spencer Fane, we take pride in our ability to work in partnership with our clients to achieve their goals. Our client engagement philosophy highlights three critical steps: We identify achievable goals. We work to find the best strategy for achieving those goals. We implement powerful legal strategy in a skillful, aggressive and cost-effective manner. We believe our success is measured by our results. Spencer Fane has a wealth of experience representing regional, national, and international manufacturing companies. We have guided our clients through the complex legal issues that arise including contracts, employment issues, asset protection, and environmental requirements.

Who we are:

The Kansas City Manufacturing Network (KCMN) was established in 1993 as the central resource for manufacturing company managers and owners who are working to grow and improve their businesses. KCMN’s educational and networking opportunities create opportunities for manufacturers to learn through real world experiences such as plant tours, presentations by local subject matter experts, and panel discussions that share lessons learned from fellow manufacturing professionals.

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) is the premier source for manufacturing knowledge, education and networking. Through its many programs, events, magazines, publications and online training division, Tooling U, SME connects manufacturing practitioners to each other, to the latest technologies and to the most up-to-date manufacturing processes. SME has members around the world and is supported by a network of chapters and technical communities. A 501(c)3 organization, SME is a leader in manufacturing workforce development issues, working with industry, academic and government partners to support the current and future skilled workforce.

Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE) is the world’s largest professional society dedicated solely to the support of the industrial engineering profession and individuals involved with improving quality and productivity. Founded in 1948, IIE is an international, nonprofit association that provides leadership for the application, education, training, research, and development of industrial engineering.  Our members can be found in manufacturing, distribution, service, consulting, education, and even retirement!  In addition to continuing education opportunities, we provide exposure to an excellent network of fellow Industrial Engineers.

American Society for Quality (ASQ) is a global community of people passionate about quality, who use the tools, their ideas and expertise to make our world work better. ASQ: The Global Voice of Quality, was founded in 1946 and has over 78,000 members worldwide.  We offer technologies, concepts, training, solutions, and an active network of quality practitioners, leaders, and innovators second to none.

The goals and benefits of the group:

• Learn about other’s best practices in human resources.
• Develop networking relationships with other company HR leaders in order to get suggestions, bounce off ideas, or share successes.
• Discuss HR challenges in your organization including, but not limited to: development of skilled workers, leadership development; creating new relationships within schools or other community resources.

Guidelines for the group:

• The group meets quarterly at a member company for about an hour.
• The group chooses the next meeting date at the meeting, so if you can’t attend, share potential availability for the next meeting.
• Members will take turns suggesting a topic of interest, and group members come to the meeting with suggestions and information on the topic.
• Service providers may be invited to bring information to the discussion, but cannot be regular members of the group.
• Any new member must be approved by all members to avoid conflict of interest; limit is 10 member companies.

In addition to the regular KCMN monthly meetings, this group is an added benefit to KCMN members, as a way to help get more interaction between member companies, and for members to provide support for efforts to improve their workforce strategy.

Should this be of interest to you, or someone else in your company, please send their contact information to Donna at donna@kcmn.org, or 816-304-7958

In recent decades there has been a relentless drive toward building extreme efficiencies in the business environment.  Some firms do this exceptionally well and surpass their competition by being shockingly efficient. However, for most of us the efficiency requirement just keeps increasing. Author and speaker Rick Tirrell, Ph.D., and Robbie Manufacturing C.O.O. Pepper Stokes will discuss four Competitive Platforms: Efficient Platform, Relationship Platform, Creative Platform and Marketing Platform.  They will describe the key characteristics of each Competitive Platform and then show the operational steps Robbie has taken to develop strengths in multiple platforms and how this has given the firm a clear competitive advantage.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013,
7:30-9:00 AM
Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas

Cost is $15 for members, $25 for guests.  Register by June 7 BY CLICKING HERE or contact Donna Gordon at 816-304-7958

Rick Tirrell, Ph.D., President, Navigator Group, PA  Rick has been helping companies build competitive skills for over twenty years. His work focuses on strategy, culture and organization development. He helps firms establish or revise their strategic planning processes and he often facilitates their annual meetings. His book, The Wisdom of Resilience Builders: How our best leaders create the world’s most enduring enterprises, is a valuable guide to every business leader. He has been a quiet advisor to many presidents and CEOs.

Pepper Stokes, COO, Robbie Fantastic Flexibles  Pepper Stokes, COO has been at Robbie Fantastic Flexibles in Lenexa, KS for 20 years. Prior to Robbie he was CFO at a couple of Kansas City based companies and he started his career at Arthur Andersen & Co in Kansas City.  Pepper and his wife are native Kansas Citians and have two awesome 20-something daughters. Robbie is a recognized industry leader in flexible packaging solutions producing innovative ideas and top-quality packaging products since their founding in 1970.

Mid-America Manufacturing Technology Center (www.mamtc.com) and Missouri Enterprise, (www.missourienterprise.org ) are our Network sponsors. The event is open to area manufacturers and their suppliers. We invite you to join with us to make KCMN the premier resource for manufacturers.

Due our need to cover costs, no shows will be billed. Cancellations will be accepted no later than 3 business days prior to an event so we can provide spaces for those who may be on a wait list. Cancellations of reservations paid by credit card will be assessed a $10 processing fee by the registration service, or contact us for event credit for a future event. You may register as a guest for up to 2 events before membership is required. For questions or comments, please contact Donna Gordon at 816-304-7958

The essence of the group is as follows:

• The group meets quarterly at a member company for 2.5 to 3 hours.
• The host company sends out 3 dates to vote and the majority wins.
•  Hosting includes a presentation and tour of the area of focus as part of the meeting.
• The hosting company should determine in advance of the meeting what specific area of Lean they would like to focus on as part of their presentation and tour so that participants can come prepared to discuss and offer suggestions.
• Participants can then offer suggestions and feedback to the host following the tour and presentation.
• Joining the group means you have to be willing to host the group at least once every 2 years, and be open to both an honest assessment of areas for improvement, and interested in getting both positive and negative feedback.
• Maximum benefit is attained when host company management at a level to effect change is in attendance during the feedback session.
• Any new member must be approved by all members to avoid conflict of interest.

In addition to the regular KCMN monthly meetings, this group is an added benefit to KCMN members, as a way to help get more interaction between member companies, and for members to provide support and growth in their efforts to increase efficiencies. This group is limited in size, and new members are subject to current member approval.

Should this be of interest to you, or someone else in your company, please send their contact information to Donna Gordon at donna@kcmn.org, or 816-304-7958.

Thursday May 2, 2013, 8:45- 4:00 PM

Sprint World Headquarters Campus
Winter Garden
6220 Sprint Parkway
Overland Park, Kansas  66251

 Guest Speaker: Steven Mayhew, PhD, ABPP  Pittsburg State University

No charge to attend but RSVP required by April 24, 2013 to booth.randall@dol.gov

9:00 am – 10:00 AM  OFCCP Overview – Section 503/4212  – Understand Employer, Applicant/Employee Responsibilities, Compliance Review Procedures, best practice tips and how to conduct outreach, monitor and record good faith efforts for the process of an evaluation audit.

10:00 am – 10:30 AM Assistive Technology – Assistive technology is often crucial in removing barriers to employment. The focus on this session will be in helping attendees identify assistive technology solutions and resources to assist their valued employees.

10:45 am -11:30 am  Supervision: Understanding Your Role and Your Workforce –Learn effective techniques in supervision, managing work relationships with employees, and dealing with performance issues.

11:30 am -1:00 pm  LUNCH

1:00 pm – 1:30 pm  Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) Incentive Federal tax credits as an incentive for hiring members of targeted groups (including individuals with disabilities) who traditionally have difficulty finding jobs.

1:30 pm – 2:00 pm  VETS- Joining Resources for Hiring  Learn what information and resources you need to find, hire and retain quality candidates.

2:00 am – 3:00 pm Focus on my Abilities – A Success Story Learn that people living with disabilities are a unique source of talent, add substantial value to a company which contributes substantively to the ability to operate as an innovative and sustainable organization.

3:00 am – 4:00 pm  Informational Expo  Meet with agencies and organizations with focus on services for veterans and people with disabilities.

The event will be held in a secure area requiring people to go through security to get to the venue site, so there will not be the ability to attend individual sessions only. We are intending to have personnel at the entrance in the morning to assist Sprint security in getting people to the right location inside the Winter Garden building. We do not intend to have personnel at the entrance the entire time due to a conflict with Sprint operations. However, at the lunch break there will be time for people to come and attend the afternoon sessions if they would like.

The Affordable Care Act promises a host of new issues, choices, regulations and penalties for employers with the implementation of many of the new provisions in 2014.  Whether you are confident your company will be ready, or just trying to get up to speed, KCMN’s May meeting will be a great source of information for you.  Our panel of experts is aware of the changes on the horizon, and will focus their remarks on decisions and choices that you should consider as you prepare for 2014.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013
7:30-9:15 AM
Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Minnesota, Kansas City, KS

Panel Moderator:
Amy Peterson, Human Resources & Safety Manager, Huhtamaki, Inc.

Panelists:
Robert Aschentrop, Business Consultant for Benefits, Insurance, and Financial Services, CBIZ

Rick Kahle, President—Employee Benefit Division, Lockton

Kenneth A. (Ken) Mason, Leader, Employee Benefits Group, Spencer Fane Britt & Browne, LLP

Ron Rowe, Dept. Vice President, Small Group and Consumer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City

The panelists will discuss the specific provisions of the law that will likely impact employers, both those with less than 50 employees, and those with over 50 employees, penalties for opting out of health care, and other considerations when making health care coverage decisions.

Cost is $15 for Members, $25 for guests.  Guests may attend 2 meetings before joining as a member.  Sign up by May 10 BY CLICKING HERE, or contact Donna Gordon at donna@kcmn.org, 816-304-7958

Questions you’d like to make sure we cover?

Online registrants will be asked about company size (only reported in aggregate) and will have the opportunity to submit questions they’d like to see the panelists address.

Mid-America Manufacturing Technology Centerand Missouri Enterprise are our Network sponsors. The event is open to area manufacturers and their suppliers. We invite you to join with us to make KCMN the premier resource for manufacturers.
Due to our need to cover costs, no shows will be billed. Cancellations will be accepted no later than 3 business days prior to an event so we can provide spaces for those who may be on a wait list. Cancellations of reservations paid by credit card will be assessed a $10 processing fee by the registration service, or contact us for event credit for a future event.

ABOUT OUR PRESENTERS

Amy Peterson  Amy has been Huhtamaki’s Human Resources and Safety Manager since 2000.  Huhtamaki is a specialty packaging organization that provides many of the world’s most recognizable consumer goods packaging and foodservice containers, as well as the retail line of Chinet® premium disposable tableware.

Robert Aschentrop  With 14 years of financial industry experience, Robert joined CBIZ in 2010 to help build the enterprise consulting practice.  His chief focus in this capacity is analyzing the way companies finance, mitigate and transfer business and health risk.  The CBIZ is the 7th largest public accounting firm and the 14th largest insurance brokerage firm in the U.S. according to Business Insurance. CBIZ was also ranked as the #1 Employee Benefits Specialist in the U.S. for six out of the last nine years.  Robert started in the financial service industry in graduate school while working for the Iowa State University Foundation.  Robert earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, Computer Science and Geography from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO and a Master’s degree in Leadership and Policy Studies from Iowa State University.

Rick Kahle Rick has nearly 25 years’ experience in the employee benefits field. He came to Lockton Companies in May 2001 as a Producer and was promoted to President in December 2005. Rick is responsible for developing new client relationships and ensuring outstanding service for clients. In addition, his responsibilities include serving on the Kansas City and National Employee Benefit Executive Committees. Prior to coming to Lockton, Rick was the Area President of the Kansas City division at Gallagher Benefit Services.  Rick has become a trusted source related to the PPACA and its implications to health plan sponsors, making numerous health reform presentations and serving on health reform panels. Rick has a B.S.B.A from Rockhurst University, Kansas City, Missouri, and holds Series 6, 63, and 65 Securities Licenses. He is a member of the Employee Benefit Professionals Association (EBPA)

Ken Mason   Ken, a partner with Spencer Fane, leads the Firm’s Employee Benefits Group. He concentrates on ERISA and other aspects of employee benefits law, including both tax and fiduciary issues. He has substantial involvement with retirement and welfare plans, executive deferred compensation, federal employment discrimination statutes, and issues unique to governmental and other tax-exempt employers.  Ken has hosted webinars and seminars on a wide variety of employer-focused issues concerning employee benefits.   Distinctions include listing in the Best Lawyers in America, Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, 2005-2009 and has chaired both the Employee Benefits Institute of Kansas City and the Employee Benefits Committee, Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association.

Ron Rowe, Ron Rowe is the Vice President of Individual and Small Group Markets for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC). For over 15 years Ron has been responsible for various advertising, sales, and product development initiatives at Blue KC. He currently serves on the Blue KC Healthcare Reform Task Force Oversight Committee and Co-Chairs the company’s Health Care Reform Product and Pricing sub-committee.  Prior to joining Blue Cross, Ron was the CEO of six specialty hospitals over a 7 year period and worked with political committees on Healthcare Reform in the early 1990’s during the Clinton Administration. Ron began his healthcare career as an Orderly in a rehabilitation hospital working on nights and weekends while in high school.  After graduating high school and attending Kent State University, Ron served in the US Army on active duty for 8 years working in the medical corps. He holds a BS in Management and Accounting from Park University, and studied in the MBA Program at Rockhurst University.

Come learn key evolving requirements for EAR and ITAR compliance, managing export exposure, liability and risk, consequences of non-compliance, and where the export control reform stands today. You’ll also pick up best practices, recommended approaches, and solutions for export compliance challenges.

This two-day program will be presented by the Kansas City law firm, Miller and Company. The firm has extensive specialized experience in governmental regulations compliance that covers a wide range of constantly changing import, export, and foreign-trade zone trade issues.

Topics to be covered:

Export Administration Regulations (EAR) – BIS Jurisdiction * scope of the EAR * General Prohibitions * Export Control Requirements * Commerce Control List & ECCN * Determining Licensing Requirements * License Exceptions & NLR * How to Apply * Deemed Exports * Technology Controls

International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) – Regulations and Laws * Registration * Commodity Jurisdiction * U.S. Munitions List * Compliance * Licensing * Country Policies and Embargoes * D-Trade Electronic Licensing System

Export Clearances:  Census * FTR * AES/EEI * BIS * Export Enforcement * OFAC

Export Management Compliance: Violations, penalties, and administrative procedures.

Essential elements of an export compliance program and record keeping.

When: April 9&10, 2013  -  Registration: Day 1 @ 7:30am / Program: 8:00am – 4:30pm

Venue:  Embassy Suites Hotel Kansas City – Plaza
220 West 43rd Street
Kansas City, MO 64111

(For accommodations, participants should call the hotel directly @ 816-756-1720 or 1-800-EMBASSY for special group rate ($129.00 per night + taxes). Group name: Department of Commerce EAR/ITA.

For more information – http://export.gov/missouri/kansascity/tradeevents/localevents/index.asp
To register online  – https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/newWebinarRegistration.jsp?SmartCode=3Q5C

Cost: $385  (includes continental breakfast, lunch, parking, and seminar materials)

Have questions? Contact:
Sally Pacheco at Sally.Pacheco@trade.gov<mailto:Sally.Pacheco@trade.gov> or, Regina Heise at Regina.Heise@trade.gov<mailto:Regina.Heise@trade.gov> or, call 816-421-1876

Registration Deadline: March 25, 2013

No refunds after deadline date. Substitutes accepted.

* Export University is a series of courses on exporting designed by the District Export Council, a volunteer non-profit organization associated with the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

NOTE:  Many states offer funding for reimbursement for export training expenses. For details and eligibility, companies should contact their local state trade office and ask about the State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) program.

Register today as space is limited!

In order to better manage their supply chains, many companies are turning to third party logistics providers. KC SmartPort will host its second annual industry-briefing event highlighting the third party logistics (3PL) industry. Momentum will feature a panel of senior level executives from the 3PL industry, both locally and nationally, to discuss trends in the industry.

When: Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Time: 7:30 a.m. Registration / Networking
8-9:30 a.m. Program

Where:
Count Basie Ballroom
Kansas City Marriott Downtown
200 West 12th Street
Kansas City, Missouri 64105

Presenters:
John E. Wagner, Jr., President, Wagner Logistics
Ed Kitt, Global Vice President of Distribution, Penske Logistics
Todd Snyder, Vice President, Healthcare, UPS Customer Solutions
Roger Scarbrough, CEO, Scarbrough International

Moderator | Cathy Burrow, Global Transportation Manager, Hallmark Cards

Registration Here:
$45 before April 2nd
$65 after April 2nd